The value of mediation has been widely acknowledged worldwide, as shown by the number of jurisdictions in which the courts enforce obligations on parties to negotiate and adopt mediation to settle construction disputes. This book examines the expansion and development of court-connected construction mediation provisions across a number of jurisdictions, including the England and Wales, the USA, South Africa and Hong Kong. It includes contributions from academics and professionals in six different countries to produce a truly international comparative study, which is of high importance to construction managers as well as legal professionals.

The value of mediation has been widely acknowledged worldwide, as shown by the number of jurisdictions in which the courts enforce obligations on parties to negotiate and adopt mediation to settle construction disputes. This book examines the expansion and development of court-connected construction mediation provisions across a number of jurisdictions, including the England and Wales, the USA, South Africa and Hong Kong. It includes contributions from academics and professionals in six different countries to produce a truly international comparative study, which is of high importance to construction managers as well as legal professionals.

Construction disputes by their very nature are often complex, sometimes multi-party disputes, many of which are not suited to either adjudication or traditional form of litigation (which are often slow, expensive and divisive). The sheer complexity of construction creates a compelling case for the introduction of alternative approaches within this adversarial industry. This book traces the history, development, current status and future direction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the UK construction industry. It draws on the largest collection of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors-funded surveys on Scottish and English disputants' perceptions and attitudes to ADR. It includes an examination of the key legislative and regulatory principles relating to ADR in the Construction sphere. The study also evaluates the role and functions of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) in England and, with reference to case law, identifies its facilitative approach to ADR. The coherence of the TCC's approach to issues such as refusal to resort to ADR is also examined. It will be a valuable reference work for scholars and practitioners in construction and the built environment, in the UK and internationally.